Livelihood schemes launched in Khyber Agency

BARA: Cheques were distributed among the community representatives as the German-funded livelihood programme was launched in Bara tehsil in Khyber Agency on Thursday.

Under the “Reintegration and Rehabilitation of Temporarily Displaced Persons in the Fata” project, seven community-managed schemes would be built in various areas of Bara tehsil of Khyber Agency. The schemes included five pertaining to drinking water supply, one each irrigation channel and protection wall.

The project area is South Waziristan Agency, North Waziristan Agency, Orakzai Agency, Khyber Agency and Kurram Agency. And it has already been initiated recently in South Waziristan and Orakzai agencies.

Financed by KFW of Germany, the project is being implemented by Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP) with the support of the FATA Secretariat. The ceremony to hand over the cheques was held at the jirga hall of Levies Centre in Shahkas in Jamrud tehsil. Khyber Agency Political Agent Khalid Mahmood was the chief guest. Community representatives, elders, agency officials were also present on the occasion.

Under the KFW-funded project, cheques were distributed among the communities of Hunar Baz Killay, Muhtaram Killay, Bahlolkhel, Haji Jalandar Killay and Mushtarikabad in Akakhel area while two including  male community organisation (MCO) Alladhand and MCO New Attari in Kamarkhel area in Bara tehsil.

Speaking on the occasion, the chief guest assured his full support in implementation of the project. He thanked the efforts of the government of Germany and other concerned stakeholders in reviving livelihood in Fata.

Programme Manager (operations)  SRSP Syed Aftab thanked Pak Army, Fata Secretariat, local communities and political administration for extending cooperation in executing the project.

He said the SRSP had identified various community physical infrastructure schemes in South Waziristan, Orakzai and Khyber agencies in consultation with all the stakeholders at the government as well as the community levels. In this context, he said, 13 schemes have already been initiated in SWA and Orakzai agencies.